Samuel Gray Ward 1881 - 1908

This is Augustus Saint-Gaudens's bronze relief of Samuel Gray Ward, an artwork that encapsulates the socio-cultural milieu of the late 19th century. Here, Ward, a prominent figure of the American upper class, is immortalized through Saint-Gaudens’s expert craftsmanship, reflecting the era’s fascination with portraiture as a means of celebrating individual success and social standing. The relief, with its classical allusions, is a visual symbol of Ward's position within the established social order. Made during the American Gilded Age, this work speaks volumes about the dynamics of wealth and power of the time. As art historians, we delve into archives, letters, and institutional records to uncover these intricate relationships between art, patronage, and society. This allows us to more fully understand the public role of art and the politics of imagery.